In the evening, after cleaning up the dishes, Mrs. Hu returned to her room, exhausted.

As soon as I stepped into the room, I saw my youngest son carefully changing my husband's dressing.

The child's focused expression and slightly trembling little hands seemed to be treating the most precious treasure in the world.

This scene, like an invisible hand, suddenly gripped Hu's heart.

Her thoughts instantly drifted back to the dining table, where the children, like eaglets guarding their nest, tightly protected her behind them.

At this moment, Mrs. Hu could no longer control herself, and tears streamed down her face like a burst dam.

Upon seeing this, Su Qingfeng looked panicked and tried to prop himself up, his body weak: "Wife, what's wrong? Have you encountered any difficulties?"

Sobbing uncontrollably, Hu finally managed to say, choking back tears, "I... I, as their mother, watched helplessly as my children were unjustly accused, powerless to protect them. I am utterly unworthy of being a mother..."

Su Xiangsheng walked lightly to Hu Shi's side, gently wiping away the tears on her cheeks with his still-childish little hands, his eyes revealing a maturity beyond his years:

"Mother, don't cry. We will grow up quickly and then it will be our turn to protect you."

After saying this, Su Xiangsheng took a deep look at his parents, turned around and left. His small figure looked particularly resolute in the dim light.

Only the couple remained in the room.

Su Qingfeng looked at the roof and sighed deeply, full of self-blame: "It's all my fault. I'm incompetent, and you and your children have suffered because of me."

Hu simply shook her head, tears streaming down her face like pearls, all her words choked back by the bitterness that lingered in her throat.

After leaving his room, Su Xiangsheng didn't rush back to sleep. Instead, he picked up his small, fully loaded basket and excitedly knocked on Su Li's door.

"Sis, are you asleep? I have something to show you!"

"The door isn't locked, come in."

Pushing open the door, Su Xiangsheng's gaze was completely drawn to Su Li, who was combing her hair by the window.

Her long, black hair cascaded down her chest, and the bright moonlight poured down, making her already exquisite face even more captivating, like a fairy from heaven.

Sister, you're so beautiful...

Su Li put down the comb, took the basket from his hand, and closed the door: "These are the herbs you collected today? There are so many?"

She carefully spread the herbs on the table and examined them one by one in the bright candlelight.

Ageratum conyzoides, Bletilla striata, Euphorbia humifusa... Yes, these are all common hemostatic herbs, and the soil on the roots has been washed off.

When the burlap covering the bamboo tube was lifted, the golden-edged earthworms inside were all alive and well.

In addition, I dug up dozens of medicinal herbs during my lunch break. It would be best to try selling them at the pharmacy tomorrow, so as not to delay and cause any unforeseen problems.

"Asheng, Asheng?"

"Ah, ah!" Su Xiangsheng shuddered, his dazed eyes gradually regaining their senses. Looking at the pile of medicinal herbs on the table, he scratched his head sheepishly: "Sis, what's wrong? Did I mistake the herbs?"

"No mistake, everything's fine." Su Li couldn't help but smile, raising her hand to rub her younger brother's round little head: "Our Sheng is so capable. I'm planning to go to the pharmacy tomorrow, do you want to come?"

Su Xiangsheng's eyes lit up, his heart leaping with joy. He was about to agree immediately, but then he remembered his grandfather's instructions at the dinner table and hesitated.

"But didn't Grandpa say he was going to work at home? Should we tell Grandpa we're going to town...?"

In the Su family, all matters, big and small, have always been decided by the old man and his wife, and no one has ever disobeyed them. It's as if there's an invisible rope that binds everyone in the family together.

The fourth wife's family, in particular, has always been the most obedient.

Su Li raised an eyebrow dismissively: "Just tell me if you want to go or not?"

"Yes! Of course I want to!" Su Xiangsheng nodded emphatically, his eyes filled with struggle.

"That settles it then. Alright, leave the things here with me, and you go back to sleep. Remember, this is a secret, and you can't tell anyone, understand?"

"Okay, sister, don't worry!"

The next morning, the Su family got up early, ate a simple breakfast, and then went to the fields with their hoes.

Before leaving, in front of her three granddaughters, Grandma Su took out all the eggs from the henhouse, then took out the rice, flour, and oil that the family would eat for lunch from the cupboard, and finally locked the remaining food and eggs into the cupboard.

"There are still a few cabbages left in the backyard, enough for lunch. Take the food to the field at noon, don't be late!"

As soon as the old lady left, an awkward silence fell over the room.

Although the three are cousins ​​by blood, they have never gotten along well with each other.

Su Li leaned against the door frame, crossed her arms, and looked towards the river.

Early in the morning, her younger brother went to the river to herd ducks. He was still young, so he was not usually needed for farm work. Su Li wanted to wait for her brother to come back from herding the ducks before they went to town together.

As for cooking, she had no intention of doing it herself. The more she did, the more mistakes she would make; let whoever wanted to do it do it.

Su Yao swayed her hips and circled behind Su Zhen, quietly pulling her aside. She took a pinkish-green silk flower from her sleeve and handed it to her, a slightly ingratiating smile on her face.

“Zhen’er, look at these silk flowers. They’re the most fashionable in town. I saved them especially for you. Come to think of it, it’s been a long time since we sisters have seen each other. Let’s not be estranged.”

Su Zhen glanced at the silk flower in Su Yao's hand, her heart unmoved.

With abundant resources in the space, what's so special about a mere silk flower?

She made no attempt to take it, instead becoming more wary. "Big sister, what do you mean by this?"

Su Yao smiled, glanced quickly in Su Li's direction, and then immediately looked away.

"Good Zhen'er, you're a smart person, so I won't beat around the bush with you. How about we join forces and teach Su Li a lesson?"

Before Su Zhen could agree, Su Yao reached out and put the silk flower in her hair, and even tidied up the stray hairs by her temples.

"Look how beautiful you are! This cyan color makes your skin look even more radiant. This is a little something from your older sister, so you mustn't dislike it."

Su Zhen raised her hand and touched the silk flower, secretly feeling pleased with herself.

A single silk flower is nothing in itself, but Su Yao's subservient and obsequious behavior in front of her is something she finds extremely pleasing.

That's right, that's how it should be. Su Zhen was born to be adored by everyone and possess all the treasures in the world.

Since Su Li dared to go against me, I'm determined to teach her a lesson!

She gave a light, feigned hum, "Then let's do as you say."

Su Yao's smile grew even sweeter.

She'll deal with that bitch Su Li first, then teach this gossipy country bumpkin a lesson!

However, before the two could discuss the details, Su Li's voice came from behind them like a ghost: "Hey, why did someone put a cabbage leaf in their hair?"

Su Li walked around to the two of them, glanced at the green silk flower in Su Zhen's hair, and a mocking smile appeared on her lips. She sneered without any politeness:

"What were you whispering about? Just for this rotten flower? Look at the workmanship and the dyeing, it's probably something you bought for three coins a day on the street to appease a child, isn't it?"

"You treat this junk like a treasure?" Su Li's eyes grew increasingly contemptuous. "No need to hide it from me. I don't care about this stuff at all!"

"But you, my second cousin, when did you suddenly change your ways and decide to become a junk collector?"

Su Zhen's face suddenly changed, turning pale and then flushed, as if a palette of dyes had been overturned.

That damn Su Li!

She had always scoffed at the silk flower, but only reluctantly accepted it because she was captivated by Su Yao's flattery.

Su Li's sharp and sarcastic words were like a blade, piercing straight into her self-esteem.

In an instant, anger and shame surged like a tidal wave, completely overwhelming reason.

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